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Landlord urges city probe of chronic drainage, offers to sell 1404 S Hickory
Summary
Landlord Charles Johnson told the Mount Vernon Board of Aldermen that a failing detention basin and increased surface runoff from new development have left his property at 1404 S Hickory too wet to mow and with water in the crawlspace; he asked the city to investigate and offered the property for sale.
Charles Johnson, owner of the rental property at 1404 S Hickory, told the Board of Aldermen on July 14 that stormwater from recent nearby homes, apartments and storage units has overwhelmed an existing detention basin and left his lot persistently wet.
Johnson said he moved the last tenant out in 2019 and that "the detention basin near his property is not working." He showed photos to the board and reported water in the crawlspace and ground too wet to mow. Johnson said the property is valued at $53,000 and raised the possibility of selling it to the city if remediation is not feasible.
Mayor Jason Haymes asked why the issue had not been raised earlier; Johnson replied that he has maintained a good working relationship with the city and wanted staff to investigate possible remedies. Haymes asked city staff to follow up; City Administrator Robert Harrington assured the board staff would look into the drainage and report back.
The discussion produced no motion or directive to acquire the lot; it concluded with staff follow-up requested and no immediate budget action. The matter may require engineering review and potential coordination with recent development projects to determine whether the detention basin or another stormwater control needs upgrade.
